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Abstract:

In Brief:

As the benefit of stance control in comparison with locked knee-ankle-foot orthoses is controversial, a literature analysis was conducted. Despite limited methodological quality, the majority of the studies gave clear indications of a benefit for stance control orthosis systems with respect to greater knee flexion and ground clearance in the swing phase, relief of the joints on the sound limb, a reduction of compensatory movements and energy consumption, and improved patient satisfaction.

Abstract:

In Brief:

This technical note presents a strategy for training the transfemoral amputee how to utilize the reciprocal stair descent capability of stance yielding knees and offers considerations to expand for individualized functional needs. The technique is associated with positive clinical outcomes data, but the task of reciprocal stair descent is probably not appropriate for all transfemoral amputees utilizing stance yielding prosthetic knee mechanisms. Whether or not a patient ever utilizes the technique in daily life, training such patients with a comparable technique, at least therapeutically, may have functional significance in other daily activities such as stumble recovery during a missed step, in moving from stand to sit, and during the loading response of gait.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Although balance confidence has been more predictive of prosthetic mobility than a simple history of falls, clinical measures of balance ability may provide a more objective assessment of fall risk. This case study documents balance ability, balance confidence, fall history, and activity participation in a person with transfemoral amputation due to vascular disease using 1) a non-microprocessor knee (MPK) prosthesis, 2) an MPK prosthesis after initial training, and 3) the MPK prosthesis after 1 year. Although balance, balance confidence, and activity without falls improved in this case, future research is needed to identify and reduce causes of falls and to determine effect of different prostheses on balance in people with vascular transfemoral amputations before making clinical conclusions.

Abstract:

In Brief:

The purpose of this research was 1) to develop a system to measure pistoning in sagittal plane (2D), 2) to test this system during a dynamic task (cycling), and 3) to determine the effect of prosthetic suspension. The pin suspension produced less displacement in the superior/inferior (S/I) direction (2 vs. 4 mm). Suspension type had no effect on the magnitude of displacement in the anterior/posterior direction (~4 mm). The device could measure differences between two different prosthetic suspension systems, but these differences were very small. Future research should address movement of the knee center within the prosthetic socket and use the limb/socket motion measurement device developed for this study.

Abstract:

In Brief:

The objective of this study is to investigate the view of prosthesis users and health professionals working with upper limb amputees regarding interaction between phantom limb sensation, prosthesis use, and rehabilitation services. Overall, data from this study highlighted the clinical importance of bidirectional interaction between phantom limb pain/phantom limb sensation (PLP/PLS) and prosthesis use, especially for myoelectric prostheses.

Abstract:

In Brief:

This paper presents the prosthetic rehabilitation of a 16-year-old boy with Klippel Trenaunay-Weber (KTW) syndrome. The physiotherapy-rehabilitation program consisted of stretching and strengthening exercises, residual limb dynamic and isometric exercises to prepare the amputee for gait, as well as balancing and weight-bearing exercises. The amputee was able to walk with his prosthesis without bilateral crutches at the end of two weeks. Physiotherapy-rehabilitation approaches and prosthetic training were important facilitators for regaining independence.

Abstract:

In Brief:

The purpose of this review is to determine the effectiveness of knee orthoses in the treatment of pain in unilateral compartment osteoarthritis (OA). Only studies that dealt with medial unilateral compartment knee OA and the use of a knee orthosis were selected. Of these articles, only experimental trials were selected based on the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists State-of-the-Science Evidence Report Guidelines. Statistically significant pain reduction was noted by 73% of the studies reviewed, although all showed that there was pain reduction in the patients.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Lipomodeling or fat grafting is a technique whereby fat is harvested from one part of the body and is transferred to another in order to correct a deficiency or relative deficiency in the subcutaneous fat layer. After a transradial amputation patient presented with recurrent pain, swelling, and blistering, and following a discussion of various treatment alternatives by the multidisciplinary team, fat grafting from the abdominal area to the tip of the residual limb was recommended. The operated site healed well, the prosthetic limb was refitted with improved comfort and stability, and the patient expressed her satisfaction with the outcome.